This is how wood is cleaned!
Wooden utensils are popular in the kitchen, not only because they are good for frying pans and casseroles but also because they are good for food and the environment. Since they have many qualities, they need to be taken care of. Follow these tips and your cutting board will have the lifespan of an oak tree!
Wood is appropriately regarded as a material of the future, both due to its natural qualities and its ecological and economic benefits. Wood is inherently anti-bacterial, but can become less hygienic if not properly maintained. To keep your utensils in their original condition, it is not enough to "touch wood".» Indeed, there are plenty of practical tips on how to avoid bacteria and preserve your wooden accessories, whose durability can be maintained on a daily basis without much effort.
What wood is warming up your utensils!
Before embarking on the “how”, let's remember the “why”, because cooking with wood is not just a question of being trendy, the benefits are considerable. Contrary to popular belief - which we are going to crush here - spoons, tongs, nutcrackers and other wooden accessories are antibacterial and perfectly hygienic. Indeed, wood naturally reduces its bacterial content and thus blocks their development.
Its natural properties are antibacterial, but that is not its only asset. Wood is preferred in cooking because it is not harmful to the body; it is gentle and does not scratch your pots and pans; it is a light material, not too smooth, which fits well in the hand; it is a renewable raw material; and, finally, wood does not conduct heat. Yes, wood and cooking go hand in hand!
6 tips for taking care of your wooden utensils
1: Clean immediately and thoroughly 🍋
Thoroughly cleaning your wooden kitchen accessories does not require complex techniques. Immediately after use, place them under hot water and scrub with a brush or scrubbing sponge. Soap is not needed every day. You can alternate from one day to the next between lemon juice, water and mild soap (with a light scent because wood absorbs odours) for when your accessory is very greasy.
2: Avoid moisture 💧
Except for one or two soaks per month (see points 5 and 6), do not soak your utensils too regularly. After each wash, dry the utensil directly. It is not advisable to use the dishwasher. If you put your wooden utensils in a dishwasher, you run the risk of deforming or cracking them. In general, prolonged soaking is to be avoided.
3: Caring for and protecting the wood 🌱
The deformation or cracking of wood can be avoided by regular care, using specific maintenance products such as an absorbent towel or cloth, a fine-grained sponge for sanding, environmental oils, waxes (in stick or liquid form), a mild soap, etc. You will easily find these products and mild soaps with Ticket EcoCheque in supermarkets and organic shops such as The Barn, Natural Corner, Bio c’ Bon, Origin’O, etc.
Bonus tip: olive oil is an excellent wood care product! Just as we like to nourish our skin with moisturiser, natural fibres love to be pampered. Preferably with olive oil (peanut oil is also suitable) as this will deeply moisturise it and increase its durability. To do this, pour a few drops onto absorbent paper and gently rub the utensil.
4: Choose the right board ✅
Despite having natural antibacterial properties, wood is porous and therefore bacteria can easily penetrate it. To avoid breeding grounds for bacteria, the best woods are beech, olive or bamboo.
5: Disinfect the wood once a month 🧼
A good soak once a month helps disinfect the item thoroughly. After cleaning, let the utensil soak for about 20 minutes in a mixture of water and white vinegar. Thereafter, rinse it with cold water and dry thoroughly.
6: Deodorise regularly 🌸
You may have already found the aftertaste of an onion on a freshly cut orange ... Indeed, being naturally porous, wood picks up the odours of the foods that it comes into contact with. To deodorise it, add a tablespoon of baking soda to a litre of water in a container. Then rub the mixture onto your wooden accessory and leave it for an hour. Rinse, dry and you're done.
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